US20100159419A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100159419A1
Application number: US12/694,911
Authority: US
Inventors: James C. Grant
Original assignee: Cheyenne Mountain Dental Group
Current assignee: Grant Dental Tech Corp
Priority date: 2008-03-04
Filing date: 2010-01-27
Publication date: 2010-06-24
Also published as: US8287278B2

Abstract

A dental implant system comprises a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery. The system also includes an implant screw that is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient's jawbone. The system further includes a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw and has a head and a threaded end. The threaded end of the securing screw passes through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient's jawbone.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/243,676, filed Oct. 1, 2008 which is a continuation in part application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/074,524 filed on Mar. 4, 2008. The complete disclosures of each of these applications are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Implants are popular means of replacing a lost tooth. Due to their relatively low maintenance and durability people often prefer implants to bridges. Nevertheless, there is a largely undocumented body of complaints voiced to front line dentists about implants, by their patients. These complaints generally are about food impacting and accumulating around and beneath the crown portion of the implant in the enlarged periodontal gap between the implant and the adjacent teeth.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides an exemplary method for securing a dental implant (or implant screw) to a patient's jawbone. According to the method, a portion of the patient's gum is removed sufficient to expose the patient's jawbone. This may be done after the patient's tooth or other dental work has been removed. Also, a portion of the patient's jawbone is removed. The depth of bone removal may be in the range from about 1 mm to about 4 mm. A base member is positioned at the treatment site such that it is embedded within the patient's jawbone wherein the bone has been removed. The base member may have a generally flat top side defined by an outer perimeter, a tapered central opening and at least one screw hole that is positioned between the central opening and the outer perimeter. A small securing screw is placed through the screw hole and rotated until it is screwed into the patient's jawbone and a head of the securing screw is at least flush with the top side of the base member. In this way, the base member is embedded within and securely fastened to the patient's jawbone. This base member will subsequently serve as a stable platform form prosthesis. An implant screw is placed through the central opening of the base member. The implant screw has a head with a tapered section and a threaded end. The implant screw is turned to secure the threaded end within the jawbone and to seat the head of the implant screw within the tapered. Opening of the base member. Once the implant screw is secured to the jawbone and appropriate healing has occurred, a prosthesis, such as a crown, may be coupled to the implant screw.

In one aspect, the base member includes two screw holes that are positioned between the outer periphery and the central opening. As one example, the base member may be generally rectangular in geometry, with the two screw holes being located in corners of the base member. This serves to further secure the base member to the patient's jawbone. Also, when the base member is rectangular, the surgeon may also surgically remove a rectangular section of the jawbone so that the base member will fit within the resulting depression in the jawbone.

In another aspect, the top side of the base member may be embedded within the jawbone such that it is generally flush with the top surface of the patient's jawbone. In a further aspect, the top side may further include at least one mutable feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member. The implant screw may further include a threaded hole and the crown may include a bolt so that the bolt may be screwed into the threaded hole.

In yet another aspect, the base member may have a generally flat bottom side, and the central opening may taper inward from the top surface to the bottom surface with a constant taper. Further, the base member may have an outer periphery that tapers with a straight taper inward from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface.

In some cases, the outer periphery of the base member may be roughened to increase the surface area of the base member. This in turn serves to enhance bone growth to the base member.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a dental implant system that comprises a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery. The system also includes an implant screw that comprises a head and a threaded end that is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient's jawbone. The head of the implant screw is adapted to be seated within the central opening of the base member after the threaded end is screwed into the patient's jawbone. The system further includes a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw and has a head and a threaded end. The threaded end of the securing screw passes through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient's jawbone. In this way, the securing screw may be used to help further secure the base member to the patient's jawbone. In turn, this helps to stabilize the implant screw and the prosthesis that will be coupled to the implant screw.

In one aspect, the central opening is tapered and has a beveled edge. Also, the implant screw has a tapered head section to seat within the tapered central opening. This particular configuration is also useful in preventing microleakage between the base member and the implant screw.

In another aspect, the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member. In one particularly useful arrangement, the base member has two securing holes for use with two securing screws. The securing holes are located in opposing corners of the base member. Also, the securing holes may have a tapered section and the heads of the securing screws may have a tapered section. Further, the securing screws may each have a pointed end and a diameter of about 1.5 mm.

In a further aspect, the base member includes a plurality of retention grooves that are located on the outer periphery. Also, the outer periphery of the base member may tapers inward from the top snake to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface. With this arrangement, the taper may begin below retention grooves. Additionally, the outer periphery of the base member is roughened to facilitate bone growth.

The system may be used with various prosthesis. For example, a crown may be mounted to the head of the implant screw. In some cases, the top side of the base member may includes at least one matable feature, and the crown may also include a corresponding matable feature that mates with the feature on the base member to non-rotationally secure the crown to the base member. The implant screw may include a threaded hole and the crown may include a bolt so that the bolt may be screwed into the threaded hole.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a platform for securing a dental crown to a patient's jawbone. The platform comprises a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site. The base member has a generally flat top side, a generally flat bottom side, an outer periphery, a central opening and a screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery. The central opening tapers inward with a constant taper from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to receive an implant screw. The top side may further include at least one table feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member.

In one aspect, the outer periphery may include a plurality of retention grooves, and the outer periphery may taper with a straight taper inward from the retention grooves to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface. In another aspect, the base member may be generally rectangular in geometry, and the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member. Two or more securing holes and securing screws may also be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation diagram of an implant having an enlarged base seated directly on the jaw.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the base plate and crown supporting means of the implant.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an embodiment of steps in a method for installing the tooth implant ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a platform or base according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the base ofFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a patient's jawbone that has been drilled to receive an implant and in which a rectangular portion has been surgically removed in order to receive a base according to the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an implant that has been inserted into the jawbone ofFIG. 10 with a corresponding base and abutment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the base and implant ofFIG. 11 prior to attachment of the abutment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a template that may be employed when surgically removing portions of the patient's jawbone according to the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates the surgical recesses tented within the patient's jawbone using the template ofFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates crowns that have been restored to the surgical sites ofFIG. 14 according to the invention.

The following is a discussion and description of specific embodiments of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, wherein the some reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It should be noted that such discussion and description is not meant to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Restoring the edentulous space of missing first and second molars and bicuspids can be problematic. This is because these teeth are typically square or rectangular in geometry. Typical dental procedures restore this space using round dental implants. When the crown is placed onto the implant, there are excessive voids between the crown and adjacent teeth. These spaces serve as food traps and will eventually lead to tooth decay of the adjacent teeth. This problem generally arises because the implant is round yet is trying to fill a generally square or rectangular space.

One important feature of the invention is a way to provide a platform that generally fills this edentulous space so that when a square or rectangular crown is placed onto the implant there is minimal space between the crown and the adjacent teeth. The platforms of the invention are generally square or rectangular and are positioned about the implant to provide a convenient surface to attach the crown. In some cases, part of the patient's jawbone may be removed so that the platform may be countersunk within the patient's jawbone. In this way, when the crown is placed onto the platform not only will it be generally aligned with the adjacent teeth but the jawbone will tend to grow about the platform to provide a stable surface to support the crown.

A wide variety of platforms may be used in connection with most commercially available implants. Typically, the outer periphery of the platform will be generally rectangular or square and will have a central opening through which the implant may be inserted. The top surface of the platform is typically flat in geometry. However, it may include one or more detents or other features to mate with a corresponding feature on the crown and/or abutment so as to prevent rotation of the crown relative to the platform. Also, the platform may have one or more holes to permit small surgical screws to be inserted through the platform and into the jawbone so that the platform may be further secured to the patient's jawbone. These holes may be countersunk so that the surgical screws are generally flush with the top surface of the platform. The outer and bottom surfaces of the platform may have various grooves or roughened surfaces to facilitate bone healing and bone grown to the platform.

Once the platform is securely in place it essentially converts the round implant into a square or rectangular implant so as the match the outer geometry of the crown. In this way, voids or spaces between adjacent teeth are minimized to prevent decay and tooth loss that may otherwise result from the placement of the implant and crown.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation diagram of an improvedtooth implant assembly20 having a base24 for seating on jaw16. In one embodiment,tooth implant assembly20 includesbase plate24, a base attachment fastener28 (also referred to as an implant screw or simply an implant), acrown attachment fastener34, a crown supporting mechanism36 (FIG. 2), and atooth crown38.

Generally, thetooth implant assembly20 comprises: i) acrown portion22 having alower portion23 adapted for seating and connection; ii)base24 having an upper portion adapted to matably receive thecrown portion22, a lower portion adapted to seat directly on (or be embedded within) thebone14 of one of the jaws16, thebase24 having an upright, or central, opening26 therethrough; and, iii) abase attachment fastener28 having a head29 adapted to be seated o and around upright opening26, and a threaded end portion, or shaft,30 for screwable reception in the jaw16 to thereby anchor the base24 thereon. Thebase24 of theimplant20 is enlarged to better distribute load on the jaw16 and thereby additionally allow saidcrown portion22 to have more uprightperipheral sidewalls31, so that embrasures, or periodontal gaps,12 (FIGS. 3-7) between the bottom portion of the crown portion and adjacent teeth10 (FIGS. 3-7) are thereby substantially reduced, and so that both food impaction and collection therein is also substantially reduced. In one embodiment, thebase24 is generally rectangular and non-rotatable.

Base attachment fastener

28 is adapted for insertion into and engagement with central opening26 inbase plate24. In one embodiment,base attachment fastener28 is a bone screw.

Head29 ofbase attachment fastener28 has acentral bore32 formed longitudinally in the body offastener28. In one embodiment,central bore32 ofbase attachment fastener28 extends into threadedshaft30. In one embodiment, head29 ofbase attachment fastener28 is a countersink head adapted to tit countersunk central opening26.

Within this specification “jaw”16 is intended and defined to include either the upper jaw or the lower jaw. Similarly, within this specification “bone”14 is intended and defined to include either the maxilla or the mandible.

Ifbase24 is sized generally similarly to the bottom portion of a removed tooth (not shown) then theperiodontal gaps12 on opposite sides of the implantedcrown portion22 will not be enlarged. The base24 may be further enlarged to maximally minimize theperiodontal gaps12 between theimplant20 andadjacent teeth10.

In one embodiment of the invention, thebase24 has a sloping peripheral sidewall25 and the bottom side portion is smaller in area than the top side portion. The bottom side portion of the base24 may be embedded within thebone14 of the jaw16. This may be done by removing a piece of the patient's jawbone prior to adheringbase24 to the jawbone. Alternatively, ifbone14 strength is an issue, the bottom side portion of the base24 may be generally fitted to the vertical curvature of thebone14 of the jaw16.

In another embodiment of the invention, the peripheral sidewall25 of thebase24 is coated or roughened to facilitategum8 adhesion thereto. In one embodiment, the upper portion of thebase attachment screw28 comprises an internally threaded hole, or central bore,32 for reception of acrown attachment bolt34. It is also contemplated that the top portion of thebase24 and the bottom side portion of thecrown22 are matingly configured to ensure proper and non-rotatable alignment of thecrown portion22 on thebase24.

FIG. 2 is a more detailed illustration of thebase plate24 andcrown support mechanism36 ofimplant20.Tooth crown38 is supported by and attached to crown supportingmeans36. Togethertooth crown38,crown supporting mechanism36, and crown attachment screw34

embody crown portion

22.

Base plate

24 has central opening26 andcoronal surface27. The terms “coronal” and “apical” are used in this specification to describe the side of a structure closest to the crown apex (root), respectively, of a tooth.

In one embodiment, central opening26 ofbase plate24 is countersunk. Central opening26 may be beveled at any angle, even a concave angle, or it may be straight with no bevel. In one embodiment,coronal surface27 is a flat surface. In one embodiment,coronal surface27 ofbase plate24 includes teeth means44 for engagement, such as a plurality ofupstanding studs44.

Crown supporting mechanism

36 carriescrown attachment fastener34.Crown supporting mechanism36 is disposed oncoronal surface27 ofbase plate24. In one embodiment,crown support mechanism36 includesrecessions46 for engaging detents44 (also referred to as upstanding studs) ofcoronal surface27. Of course, it will be appreciated that the recessions and detents may be on opposite parts or intermixed between the two parts.

In one embodiment,crown support mechanism36 includes a collar40 (also referred to as an abutment collar) and a cylindrical insert42.Collar40 is shown partially cut away inFIG. 2.Collar40 includeslongitudinal opening48 with coronal50 and apical52 edges.Collar40 is disposed oncoronal surface27 ofbase plate24.

Cylindrical insert42 is disposed withincollar40 and supported by coronal edge50 ofcollar40. Cylindrical insert42 has a longitudinal channel58 formed therein for carryingcrown attachment fastener34.

Crown attachment fastener

34 is adapted for threaded engagement withcentral bore32 ofbase attachment fastener28. In one embodiment,crown attachment fastener34 has a threaded shaft56 adapted for threaded engagement withcentral bore32.

It will also be appreciated that any one of a variety of commercially available prosthesis may be coupled to implant30 as is known in the art. As such, the invention is not limited to a specific crown attachment fastener, collar abutment, or prosthesis. Rather, embodiments of the invention provide a way to stabilize the implant screw and prosthesis using a stabile base or platform that is secured to the bone.

Generally, the method of implanting a tooth implant orprosthesis20 in a jaw16 comprises the following steps that do not necessarily need to proceed in order. The method utilizes atooth implant20, such as the one generally described above. A pilot hole6 is drilled in the jawbone and is sized to accommodate the internal diameter of thebase attachment screw28. The hole6 is laterally centered in the jaw16 betweenadjacent teeth10 in a open space left by a removed tooth (not shown).Sufficient gum8 is removed to allow the base24 to seat directly on thebone14 of the jaw16. Optionally, a portion of the jawbone may be removed so thatbase24 may sit within the jawbone and be flush with the top surface. Once the treatment site is surgically prepared, the threadedend portion30 of thebase attachment screw28 is positioned through the upright opening26 in thebase24 andscrew28 is screwed into thebone14 of the jaw16 thereby attaching the base24 to the jaw16. As described hereinafter,base24 may first be secured to the patient's jawbone by using one or more smaller screws that extend through the base and into the jawbone. These may be located, for example, between the central opening ofbase24 and its outer perimeter. Withbase24 secured and screw28 in place, the surgeon may position, fit and maintain the removedgum8 peripherally around thebase24 that is now attached to the jaw16. Acrown portion22 may be molded and may have a bottom portion sized to fit on thebase24 and a top portion sized appropriately to fill the open space between theadjacent teeth10. The moldedcrown portion22 may be attached to the base24 that is anchored on the jaw16. Thebase24 of theimplant20 is enlarged to better distribute load on the jaw16, so thatperiodontal gaps12 between the bottom portion of thecrown portion22 andadjacent teeth10 are thereby reduced, and so that both food impaction and collection therein is minimal. This most general method may be detailed with the apparatus limitations specified above under the most general description of thetooth implant20.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate an embodiment for installing a tooth implant in a jaw16 having bone15 andgum8. Although the steps represented inFIGS. 3-7 are presented in a specific order, the technology presented herein can be performed in any variation of this order. Furthermore, additional steps may be executed between the steps illustrated inFIGS. 3-7.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side elevations ofbase plate24 being fastened to jaw16.FIG. 5 is a top elevation of the step shown inFIG. 4. In one embodiment, fasteningbase plate24 to jaw16 includes drilling a pilot hole6, removinggum8 and orbone14 from jaw16, and positioning threadedshaft30 ofbase attachment screw28 through central opening26. Typically, enough bone may be removed so that the top surface ofbase plate24 is flush with the top ofbone14. Although not shown,base plate24 may include one or more through holes through which small surgical screws may be used to securebase plate24 tobone14. This may be done prior to or after insertingattachment screw28.

Pilot hole6 is typically sized to accommodate the internal diameter ofbase attachment screw28. Pilot hole6 is laterally centered in jaw16. Also,sufficient gum8 is removed from jaw16 to allowbase plate24 ofimplant20 to seat directly onbone14 of jaw16 (in cases where no bone is removed). Threadedshaft30 ofbase attachment screw28 is positioning through central opening26 inbase24 ofimplant20.Screw28 is screwed intobone14 of jaw16 thereby attachingbase plate24 to jaw16.

FIG. 6 is a sideelevation showing cellar40 being affixed tobase plate24.Longitudinal opening48 is provided incollar40.Collar40 is disposed oncoronal surface27 ofbase plate24.Crown attachment fastener34 is inserted throughcollar40. Cylindrical insert42 is disposed withincollar40.FIG. 7 is a side elevation showingtooth crown38 being attaching tocollar40.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9, one exemplary embodiment of a base110 will be described.Base110 is constructed of a stable material, such as polished titanium, ceramics, zirconia, or the like.Base110 has a generally flattop surface112 and abottom surface114.Base110 also has four outer edges or

sides

116,118,120 and122. Formed in the center ofbase110 is acentral opening124 through which an implant is inserted.Central opening124 is beveled or tapered so that it generally matches the shape of the head of the implant. This tapering also assists to provide microleakage betweenbase110 and the implant.

Base

110 is generally square or rectangular in geometry and may have rounded corners. Typically, the length ofsides116 and120 will be in the range of about 7 mm to about 12 mm, and more typically from about 8 mm to about 12 mm. The length of the opposing

sides

118 and122 may be in the range from about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and more particularly from about 6 mm to about 9 mm. The thickness ofbase110 between top112 and bottom114 will typically be about 1 mm to about 4 mm, and more typically from about 2 mm to about 3 mm. Also, sides116,118,120 and122 may be angled from top112 tobottom114. Such angling of the sides is particularly useful for directing chewing force into the platform and bone and transferring it to the center implant to evenly disperse the load. Also, the sides and bottom114 may be roughened to facilitate bone integration. For example, a pressure blasted aluminum oxide micro etching process may be used. Other processes include acid etching or other techniques to increase the surface area of the sides and the bottom. Also,grooves130 may be placed on the sides ofbase110 to also increase surface area and facilitate bone integration.

Also extending throughbase110 are a pair of screw holes132 and134. These screw holes are also beveled or tapered to permit small surgical screws to be inserted through these holes and be flush with thetop surface112. These small screws extend into the patient's jawbone and serve to securebase110 to the patient's jawbone. As shown,base110 includes two screw holes which are located at opposing corners of the base. However, it will be appreciated that different numbers of screw holes could be used. For example,base110 could be constructed with only a single screw hole. Alternatively, it could employ three screw holes, with two being in adjacent corners and one being on the opposite side. As another option, four screw holes could be employed, with the four holes being located in each of the corners.

Base

110 also includes two detents or

dimples

138 and140 intop surface112. These dimples are designed to receive mating features on the abutment to prevent rotational movement of the abutment relative to base110 once the abutment is secured to the implant. Although shown with dimples, it will be appreciated that other types of non-rotational features may be used. For example, bumps or ridges could be included ontop surface112 to mate with detents or dimples on the abutment. Also, any number of such non-rotational features could be employed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a patient's jawbone prior to placement ofbase110 or an implant. InFIG. 10, the patient's jawbone is illustrated byreference numeral142 and the tissue or gum line above the patient's jawbone is illustrate byreference numeral144. As shown, one tooth has been removed leaving a space or void betweenadjacent teeth146. Prior to placement of an implant or a base, anappropriate hole148 is drilled and a generally square orrectangular recess150 is cut into the patient's jawbone. As illustrated inFIG. 11,base110 has been secured withinrecess150. The

sides

116,118,120 and122 generally match with the outer sides or walls ofrecess150 whilebottom114 rests upon the removed portion of the jawbone. To securebase110 in place, screws151 have been inserted throughscrew holes132 and134 (seeFIG. 8) and into the jawbone.Screws151 will typically have a length in the range from about 5 mm to about 11 mm, and more typically from about 7 mm to about 9 mm. In this way,base110 is secured to the patient'sjawbone142.Top surface112 is generally flush with the top of the patient's jawbone so that it essentially functions as part of the patient's jawbone. A more detailed view ofscrews151 thatsecure base110 to the patient's jawbone is illustrated inFIG. 12.

Oncebase110 is securely in place, animplant152 is screwed into theopening148 until the head of the implant is seated withincentral opening124. At this point, a screw or healing cap may be inserted into the top end ofimplant152 and remain in place for several weeks until bone has properly healed and adhered tobase110. The healing cap may then be removed so that an abutment154 (seeFIG. 11) may be secured tobase110. For example, a hex156 may be screwed through a central opening of abutment154 and intoimplant152. Also, bumps160 on the undersurface of implant154 mate with

detents

138 and140 onbase110 to prevent rotational movement of abutment154 relative tobase110. Once abutment154 is securely in place a prosthesis, such as a crown, is secured to abutment154. The outer shape of abutment154 is generally square or rectangular in geometry and therefore matches the outer shape ofbase110. In this way, voids or gaps between the crown that is placed on abutment154 and theadjacent teeth146 is minimized. Typically, the outer edges of abutment154 will come within about 1 mm to about 4 mm of

side walls

116,118,120 and122. This provides sufficient space for the resulting crown that will be placed on top of abutment154.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of atemplate200 that may be used when surgically producing the sites needed for placement of an implant and base as described in previous embodiments.Template200 is molded so that it fits over the patient's teeth. Also,template200 has two through

holes

202 and204 that serve as guides when removing the patient's jawbone at a treatment site. Although shown with two through holes, it will be appreciated that any number may be used depending on the number of implant sites. Through

holes

202 and204 are specifically aligned with where the patient's removed teeth were previously located. In this way, when a surgical device, such as a hand-held router, is directed through the through

holes

202 and204, it produces a rectangular recess in the patient's jawbone.

FIG. 14 illustrates the recesses206 and208 that are formed within the patient's jawbone when usingtemplate200 ofFIG. 13. Also shown are two

holes

210 and212 that have been drilled to receive the implant. Above

holes

210 and212 are the rectangular recesses206 and208 in the jawbone which are sized to receive bases or platforms as described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates in phantom line theimplants152,bases110 andsurgical screws151 previously described in connection withFIG. 11. Also positioned on top of each base is a crown214 and216. Not shown in phantom line for convenience of illustration are the abutments that sit between the crowns and the base. As the space between each crown and/or adjacent tooth is minimized by the nature of the rectangular bases. In this way, the amount of food or other material that may be potentially trapped between two adjacent teeth and/or crowns is minimized.

The foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention and not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention embraces all such alternatives, modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for securing a dental implant to a patient's jawbone, the method comprising:

removing a portion of the patient's gum at a treatment site sufficient to expose the patient's jawbone;

removing a portion of the patient's jawbone at the treatment site;

positioning a base member at the treatment site such that the base member is embedded within the patient's jawbone at the treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat topside defined by an outer perimeter, a tapered central opening and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer perimeter;

inserting a securing screw through the screw hole;

rotating the securing screw until the securing screw is screwed into the patient's jawbone and a head of the securing screw is at least flush with the top side of the base member;

inserting an implant screw through the central opening, wherein the implant screw has a head with a tapered section and a threaded end; and

turning the implant screw to secure the threaded end within the jawbone and to seat the head of the implant screw within the tapered opening of the base member.

2. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the base member includes two screw holes that are positioned between the outer periphery and the central opening, and further comprising inserting securing screws through each of the screw holes.

3. A method as inclaim 2, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the screw holes are located in corners of the base member.

4. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the top side of the base member is generally flush with the patient's jawbone.

5. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the top side further includes at least one matable feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member, and further comprising attaching a crown to the implant screw, wherein the crown includes a corresponding matable feature that mates with the feature on the base member to non-rotationally secure the crown to the base member.

6. A method as inclaim 5, wherein the implant screw includes a threaded hole and the crown includes a bolt, and wherein the bolt is screwed into the threaded hole.

7. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the base member has a generally flat bottom side, wherein the central opening tapers inward from the top surface to the bottom surface with a constant taper, and wherein the base member has an outer periphery that tapers with a straight taper inward from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface.

8. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the portion of the patient's jawbone that is removed forms a rectangular cavity in the patient's jawbone.

9. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the treatment site is where a tooth previously existed, and wherein the base member is sized to be generally the same size as the removed tooth.

10. A method as inclaim 1, wherein the outer periphery of the base member is roughened.

11. A dental implant system comprising:

a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat top side defining an outer periphery, a bottom side, a central opening, and at least one screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery;

an implant screw comprising a head, and a threaded end, wherein the threaded end is adapted to pass through the central opening of the base member and into the patient's jawbone, and wherein the head is adapted to be seated within the central opening of the base member after the threaded end is screwed into the patients jawbone; and

a securing screw that is smaller in size than the implant screw, wherein the securing screw comprises a head and a threaded end, wherein the threaded end is adapted to pass through the screw hole of the base member and into the patient's jawbone.

12. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the threaded end of the securing screw is pointed.

13. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the central opening is tapered and has a beveled edge, and wherein the implant screw has a tapered head section to seat within the tapered central opening.

14. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member.

15. A system as inclaim 14, further comprising a second securing hole and a second securing screw.

16. A system as inclaim 15, wherein the securing holes are located in opposing corners of the base member.

17. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the securing hole has a tapered section and the head of the securing screw has a tapered section.

18. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the securing screws have a diameter of about 1.5 mm.

19. A system as inclaim 11, further comprising a plurality of retention grooves located on the outer periphery of base member.

20. A system as inclaim 19, wherein the outer periphery of the base member tapers inward from the top surface to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface, and wherein the taper begins below retention grooves.

21. A system as inclaim 11, wherein the outer periphery of the base member is roughened.

22. A system as inclaim 11, further comprising a crown that is adapted to be mounted to the head of the implant screw, wherein the top side of the base member further includes at least one matable feature, wherein the crown includes a corresponding matable feature that mates with the feature on the base member to non-rotationally secure the crown to the base member.

23. A system as inclaim 22, wherein the implant includes a threaded hole and the crown includes a bolt, and wherein the bolt is screwed into the threaded hole.

24. A platform for securing a dental crown to a patient's jawbone, the platform comprising:

a base member that is adapted to be embedded within a patient's jawbone at a treatment site, wherein the base member has a generally flat top side, a generally flat bottom side, an outer periphery, a central opening and a screw hole positioned between the central opening and the outer periphery, wherein the central opening tapers inward with a constant taper from the top surface to the bottom surface and is configured to receive an implant screw, wherein the top side further least one matable feature that is configured to mate with a corresponding feature on a crown to ensure non-rotatable alignment of the crown with the base member.

25. A platform as inclaim 24, wherein the outer periphery includes a plurality of retention grooves, and wherein the outer periphery tapers with a straight taper inward from the retention grooves to the bottom surface such that the top surface is greater in surface area than the bottom surface.

26. A platform as inclaim 24, wherein the base member is generally rectangular in geometry, and wherein the securing hole is located in a corner of the base member.

27. A platform as inclaim 24, further comprising a second securing hole and a second securing screw.

28. A platform as inclaim 27, wherein the securing holes are located in opposing corners of the base member.